Watching President Trump discussing trade issues with the South Korean President, one can clearly see he doesn’t understand trade and diplomacy. It’s ironic that he openly instructs the South Korean President for what should be addressed informally, but had audio and video feeds of the weekly press briefing withheld. Trade deficits are not numbers that can be switched up and down. They reflect, a country’s strength and weaknesses.
South Korea’s top 3 exports in 2016 were Electrical appliances, vehicles and ships. The USA must build on strength, which largely lies in cereals and seeds. South Korea has a deficit in that area. The Asian culture is one that relies heavily on respect. By lecturing the South Korean President in public, Trump has effectively tied his hands. That’s diplomacy 101. President Trump can’t be lambasting South Korea on one hand and at the same time seek their support in it’s disagreements with North Korea.